This package of bills, sponsored by Sen. Mike Green (R-Mayville), Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake), and Sen. Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc Twp.), respectively, reduce the definitional length of a “pistol” from 30 inches to 26 inches. This means that any firearms between 26 and 30 inches would now be treated to the same regulations as rifles and shotguns. Generally, pistols have a much higher regulatory burden for owners to navigate than do long guns. One argument for the change was that certain smaller and youth model firearms typically used for hunting were between 26 and 30 inches, thus becoming subject to the stricter requirements for pistols.

Under the package, those with firearms 30 inches or less who purchased them before January 1, 2012, would be grandfathered and allowed to own and carry the firearm as a pistol.

The bills have passed the Senate and are slated for a vote soon on the House floor.

House Bill 5225, sponsored by Rep. Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt), would get rid of Michigan’s “permit to purchase” a handgun, where potential gun purchasers currently must visit the police, fill out an application, and pass a written test in order to buy a handgun.

In place of the permit to purchase, the bill requires the use of the National Criminal Instant Background Check System prior to purchase, which has already been used for the purchase of any firearm from any gun dealer in any state since its inception in 1993. Those prohibited in the past from purchasing a firearm under federal law would still be prohibited under this bill, and back ground checks would still be required for all purchases.

The sponsors and supporters hope to cut down on the money and man hours used by the current antiquated system.

The bill was passed out of the House Judiciary committee on May 24, 2012, along with its companion bills HB 5499 (Rep. Ray Franz (R-Onekama)) and HB 5498 (Rep. Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland)).